There’s a lot between those ears
A soft-eyed, long eared equine that that brays and whuffles instead of whinnying appeals to just about everyone.
Dr. Carissa Wickens, equine Extension specialist and professor in the Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, explained that while donkeys are equines, they are not the same as horses.
“That goes for behavior, and it certainly goes for nutrition and feeding,” Wickens said. “Their digestive tract is similar to a horse’s, but the way they handle feed and the way they evolved is quite different.”
Donkeys’ native habitat is arid desert environments where they graze and browse on high fiber plants that are low in sugar and energy. Free-ranging donkeys spend 14 to 18 hours of their day foraging and browsing and can travel 12 to 18 miles each day.
The donkey’s digestive tract is similar to a horse’s, but due to their history of thriving on lower quality, fibrous forage, donkeys must be fed differently. Commercial equine concentrate feed isn’t appropriate for most donkeys. Meeting a donkey’s nutritional needs while matching what their gut prefers can be challenging.
Donkeys typically consume between 1.3% and 1.8% of their body weight in dry matter feed per day, compared to a horse’s 2% to 2.5%. Many donkeys do well when provided free access to clean, long-stem straw, which satisfies their need to consume low quality forage throughout the day. Supplement the diet with small amounts of low-sugar hay or limited grazing and observe body condition throughout the year to ensure the donkey doesn’t become thin or overweight. Since the donkey’s natural browsing habit includes scrub and trees, they’re happy with access to non-toxic woody vegetation.
Equines fed together often bully and push others, so a group of donkeys should be observed for this behavior to ensure all have equal access to feed. Senior donkeys may require alternative forage options such as chopped or soaked hay. Beet pulp without molasses helps older donkeys maintain weight. Consult a veterinarian to resolve feeding challenges.
Provide access to a salt/mineral supplement and plenty of clean, fresh water. During colder months when water is cold or frozen, provide warmer water to ensure adequate consumption.
Any treats should be low starch. While they love lush, seasonal pasture, grazing can put donkeys at risk for metabolic conditions such as laminitis and hyperlipemia.
Hyperlipemia is characterized by abnormally high blood triglyceride levels, often the result of underlying issues including stress. Risk factors for hyperlipemia include ongoing metabolic problems such as Cushing’s disease as well as excess weight or rapid weight loss, dental problems or sudden diet changes. Transportation, commingling or separation from the donkey’s usual companions can also trigger hyperlipemia.
It’s important to recognize the signs of hyperlipemia, including depression and refusal to eat. Immediate veterinary intervention is critical to prevent organ failure and death.
Daily observation and assessing body condition can help donkeys maintain a healthy weight. While horses are scored 1 – 9 on the Henneke scale, donkeys are scored on a 1 – 5 scale. A score of 1 is for an emaciated animal; a score of 5 is obese, often manifested with a fatty crest. A score of 3 is ideal.
A donkey’s rectal temperature is typically lower than that of a horse, and they often have a higher respiratory rate. Knowing a donkey’s “normal” can help owners more easily determine when a donkey needs veterinary care.
Donkeys are highly intelligent and have excellent memories. Most appreciate a human bond and enjoy gentle scratches and grooming. They are food-motivated, which can help during training. Donkeys raised with limited human interaction will require time and patience to become accustomed to new surroundings, objects and people. Donkeys prefer to be with other equines, especially other donkeys, and can become very attached to one another.
While donkeys are known for their braying to announce their presence or get their human’s attention, their vocal repertoire includes several other distinctive sounds. A content donkey may grunt but will respond to a threat with a deep rumbling growl or snort. A high-pitched squeal is the donkey’s response when greeting another donkey or during play. The whuffle is a breathy, soft puff created by the nostrils and lips, and usually indicates curiosity and affection. Donkey owners should be familiar with individual donkey vocalizations – sick donkeys don’t vocalize much, or the sound may be different.
Donkeys’ feet are narrow and upright compared to horses’ feet. Regular trims help keep hooves healthy. Dental care by an equine dental practitioner ensures good digestion. To minimize stress, dental and hoof care should be done by a professional who is experienced with donkeys.
Donkeys with a history of bad experiences or stressful events tend to remember those and may be difficult to work with if the event occurs again. If a donkey is not acting as it normally does, try to determine the reason and work with it patiently to gain trust and overcome the issue.
Donkey body language is a bit different from a horse’s. Donkeys have expressive ears, but putting their ears back doesn’t necessarily mean the same as pinned ears on a horse. If a donkey is truly agitated or nervous, tight hind quarter muscles and switching tail are clear signs.
Because donkeys originate from stock that survive harsh desert conditions, they have a strong sense of self-preservation. Although they are prey animals, when faced with what they interpret as danger, donkeys are wired to “stop and think” rather than run. This perceived stubbornness is likely due to the innate need to protect themselves.
Donkeys with an unknown background should be introduced slowly to other equines, including other donkeys. While donkeys learn quickly, they are cautious in new situations. Most donkeys that appear to exhibit stubborn behavior are merely assessing a situation and responding with what they determine to be a reasonable response.
When working with a donkey, observe body language and keep training sessions short. Don’t rush training such as picking up feet or standing for grooming. Donkeys tend to rebel against negative stimuli such as being pulled along to lead on a halter.
With patience and understanding of donkeys’ unique traits and needs, owners can look forward to many enjoyable years with these long-eared, sociable equines.
For more information on all aspects of managing donkeys, including a guide on estimating weight, visit donkeysanctuary.org.uk.
by Sally Colby
